The Upper Echelon of Integrity Toy’s Monograms
** photo property of Integrity Toys, Inc. **
I have to admit….the original outfit on this one just didn’t do it for me personally. I know what a bubble skirt looks like on me ( NOT PRETTY!) and I just could not get past it on this doll. I love the black top, shoes and bag…the rest…. well…time to repurpose. On to the positives…. Love the face of soft color and the hair was a different style. I typically like most variations on an updo so the little curl this girl has in the back was just too adorable. Yes, the hair bump has been overused ,in my opinion, at Integrity this year but on this doll, I like it. Since the outfit wasn’t doing it for me, I had to find an appropriate replacement and inspiration struck while I was perusing the latest edition of Vogue. There is a wonderful spread highlighting the Ritz in Paris. I would absolutely die to have a backdrop of some of these rooms for my dolls. It’s the ultimate in style, I mean come on…Coco Chanel lived there! I saw one photo in this spread and it inspired me to do this shoot. Hope you like it.
< Let them eat Cake… >
Model: Fashion Royalty Monogram “ Echelon”
Coat, skirt and gloves: F.R. Power Play
Shoes: F.R. Monogram
Fur: Dimitha
Fascinator Hat: made by me
Here She Is! Mattel Releases Photos of New Silkstone Barbie
Mattel has finally released promotional photos for the final Silkstone offering of 2012. She is indeed the yellow gowned lady whose sketch was floated around the doll boards about a month ago. She doesn’t have a name or price yet….hold on to your pocketbooks folks….I suspect she will be pricey. They are saying she will be available in the fall of 2012. This one is a complete no brainer for me. A redhead in yellow?! I die. Fall can’t get here soon enough!
**edit** Just heard from my dealer that her name is “Gala Gown” and price is $150.00. To preorder, feel free to visit Windy City Dolls http://www.windycitydolls.com/bfmcgalagown.htm
**note** photo is property of Mattel Inc.
If you are a Barbie Fan Club Member, you can see more photos under their “sneak peak” folder in the forums.
The Monogram Exaggeration
Right off the bat, I have to say that the color palette on this offering from Integrity Toys is beautiful. The coral in the skirt and hat and the insane green of the gloves, shoes and bag are just way out cool. These”exaggerated” colors are not typically ones that are going to excite me and certainly not together but I love them on this doll. I like the fact that we have a soft color block dress paired with a solid navy structured jacket. I love that the outfit is punctuated with the frilly hat like an exclamation point at the end of this fashion sentence. The hat/feather fascinator looks different here than in the promos….I did some restyling and had to curl some feathers. I like the fuller look but it may not appeal to everyone. The whole package screams refinement and fun energy to me. This lady looks like she is stylish and strong. Let’s face it…it takes a strong fashionista to wear coral and acid green together…….
The “Allure” of Fashion Royalty Monograms
Allure….as a noun it means “ a highly attractive quality”. As a verb it means to “ attract powerfully”.
I have to admit….when I first saw this beautiful lady at the IDEX reveal….I was going to pass. The promo shots just did not do it for me. I felt the Marilyn Monroe vibe but the big cape was not something I was looking for. I decided to go ahead and buy her because I thought I could sell her if I didn’t like her when I got her. I am so glad I purchased her because she is one of those in real life ladies that blew the promo shots out of the water. As I was photographing this lady, I could not believe how well she translates on to film so I was even more surprised that the promo shots did not do this lady justice. She is fire and ice all the way. LOVE HER!
I feel honor bound to state that I was completely enabled and inspired by JennFL’s photos on Flickr of this lovely lady so please check out her photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennfl/with/6865483260/
Revlon did a campaign in the 1950’s and I and others believe it was the inspiration behind this gorgeous lady and gown.
** picture obtained at http://coutureallure.blogspot.com/**
Model, gown and jewelry: Fashion Royalty Monogram “Allure”
Note** she does not come with the diamonds pictured ….bummer!
“Inspiration” for the First Day of Spring
When I saw the promo shots for this lady, I immediately emailed Barb of Windy City Dolls and said “Sign me up!” I don’t know if it was the updo or the frothy blue confection she was wearing that caught me but this was a no brainer for me. I love the ice cold silver and crystal jewelry she comes with. The dress is gorgeous and full and the shoes are so different…kind of like ballet shoes on wedges….if that makes any sense LOL!
My anticipation of this lovely lady fueled the photographer in me and I have been thinking….”How should I photograph this stunner?!” In the end, the time of year gave me inspiration and I decided the soft dress needed some springtime flora to accompany it and if I was going with the flora…I wanted dramatic reflection of the gown and flowers. So, to my trusty black acrylic floor I went. I decided to add a couple of my portable LED lights to my lighting set up and was very, very happy with the result. I hope you guys are too.
Model : Inspiration Fashion Royalty Monogram wearing what she originally came in.
Set: Gold urns filled with artificial cherry blossoms and finished with apple green moss. Miniature paper roses from craft store have been thrown randomly on the flooring.
Behind the scenes……
Afternoon Suit Silkstone–Dior’s “New Look” reimagined in 1/6 scale
The year was 1947 and a new designer Christian Dior seemed to be thumbing his nose at the still lingering austerity measures of post WWII and put yards and yards of fabric into the silhouettes of his “New Look”. If you look it up in the dictionary, the “New Look” was defined by a narrow waist and full pleated skirt. If you are a fan of fashion at all, you have seen this iconic photo.
Or have seen it on display at a museum…..
John Galliano paid homage to the house that employed him and reimagined this famous look for Dior in his Fall/Winter 2009 Haute Couture Collection.
It is a completely timeless look and it would not surprise me if Robert Best was inspired by it for his Atelier Silkstone collection.
***Photo is property of Mattel, Inc.***
Model: Afternoon Suit Silkstone Barbie
Edition size: No more than 4300 Worldwide
Gold label and BFC exclusive…you must be a member to get this lovely lady.
Mannequin: BFC gift with 2012 membership
Backdrop: Made by the lovely Sheree ( http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fabulous-White-Silkstone-Photo-Display-OOAK-Set-LAST-ONE-FOR-NOW-/170800865221?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27c4865fc5)
You can even backlight the backdrop…cool effect!
Walking Suit Silkstone Barbie
People are running not walking to get their hands on this beauty and I can’t say as I blame them. She is a stunner! Classic Silkstone design and Robert Best’s 1950’s inspired couture have combined for a home run of a collector doll. At the time of this blog post, she is already sold out at Barbie Collector and is flying off the shelves at retailers. If you want this lady, I would suggest sooner rather than later. She won’t last long.
Her hair is beautifully styled and crisp. The hat takes some finessing to get it to sit correctly but not too bad. I did end up pinning mine onto the head to get it to sit the way I wanted. I love the little ornate gloves on this lady. Those were an unexpected surprise. This lady will be a model for many re-dressings for sure. Love the dramatic face paint on her! Can’t wait to try this trim little suit on some of my Fashion Royalty ladies too.
Model: Walking Suit Silkstone Barbie
Edition size: no more than 6600 worldwide
Gold label
What’s on Deck ?
No I did not fall into a hole. Well I kind of did and it was called the “Suessical” hole. I was stage manager for my daughter’s school musical so I have been busy coming up with last minute costume additions and teaching tech cues to a bunch of sixth graders…FUN. The shows went off without a hitch and kids and families had a great time. Finally had some time with my beloved Canon today and here is a sneak peak of what is coming to the fashion studio.
Giselle is a Glam Addict
I was so excited to win the opportunity to buy this lovely, lovely lady. She really has exceeded my expectations in every way. I love the sleek hairstyle, pale skin tone, red lips with the raven black hair and green eyes. Absolutely gorgeous. The black and white print sheath fits well and I like it paired with the red accent belt. The set comes with three pairs of shoes, an extra belt, two purses, fur stole, jewelry set and hat.
The black shoes are a bit big for her feet but I made them work for the photos. I have yet to try the red or the pink shoes on but look forward to trying those out. I love the hammered silver bracelet. It is exactly like Luminous Kyori’s but in silver tone instead of gold. The pink/black and cream toned purse is TO DIE FOR.
LE 300 Fashion Royalty “Glam Addict” Giselle
Inside the Fashion Doll Studio 